Steve Evans made himself quite the villain during his post-match press conference on Saturday, following the defeat to Watford in the FA Cup 5th round.

During the press interviews, Evans decided to go all out on why young winger Jordan Botaka was included in the matchday squad. Evans has previously gone on record of his criticism of the Congolese attacker, citing that he does not think the player has put in enough effort to warrant a first team place.

Evans didn't seem to give any support to Botaka as he stated the only reason Jordan was in the team was because 'he had no-one else'.

Although this may be his own opinion, the fact that he can openly speak about the issues with Botaka's squad status is downright unprofessional. No manager should be allowed to speak about one of his players in that way.

The fact that he has decided to speak openly about this issue isn't the worst of it all though. The real fact is that Evans is simply not giving the winger any sort of chance, even after his impressive performances for the Development squad.

The 22-year old winger has recently put out stellar performances in the Under21 games against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, scoring in the later. In my opinion, if a player is starting to prove his worth in the reserves, then you should be seeing what he can do in the first team, especially with the lack of goals and the sheer lack of interest from players like Mirco Antenucci.

When Evans states that Botaka 'hasn't opened doors' he seems to forget that the game before he started his role Jordan was Man of the Match against Brighton. In Evans second game in charge against Charlton, the winger came on and produced some fantastic skill before putting the ball on a plate for Tom Adeyemi, who sliced it horrifically wide.

As for the fact that the wide man never tracks back, I urge you to watch this video and make your own mind up.

While other players shuffle back, Botaka sprints 70 yards to win back the ball. Another issue is apparently his lack of end product, our midfield has only contributed 9 assists this season in the league. With Cook Mowatt, Taylor and Doukara only having 5 between them.

Botaka has constantly gone on record stating how desperate he is for a chance at Leeds and how much he is committed to the cause and yet Evans is still playing Doukara out of position and Antenucci even though the Italian begged for a move away from Elland Road. Let's not forget he a self his country to let him stay at Elland Road to focus on his Leeds career.

This isn't an isolated case for Evans either, his constant approval of the calamitous Scott Wootton proves that he is picking favourites over giving chances to players who could really change the game for Lufc, like impressive youngster Lewie Coyle.

Speaking to someone who is close to the club, he informed me of how Evans had changed training this week and allowed players more freedom on the ball. Botaka was said to be a stand-out player along with others who adapted to this really well.

I know that Jordan hasn't set the world alight when he has been on the pitch, but his abilities and position are something that Leeds really need to start utilising. When he has had a chance, he has proved that his skill and pace can be a real asset, forcing opposition players to really get at him and double mark the player. The space this creates for other players like Cook, Doukara and Dallas could be phenomenal and actually get more chances for goals.

I'm not saying that Botaka should start every game, or that his '5* skill rating' means he's our best player. I'm saying that our season is over and we need to focus on who can come in and make a difference for next season, players like Coyle, Botaka and Phillips really need game time to see if they can cut it and lambasting them t the press and keeping them out of the squad is just sheer incompetence.

And to Mr Evans, if you've got an opinion about a player or don't think he's up to scratch, speak to the player about it and fuck off to the pie stand after. Loud mouth Scottish prick! ​

ONLY ONE LOUD MOUTHED PRICK AND IT IS RYAN INGHAM WHO WROTE THIS UTTER SHITE.
THE SOONER EVANS SPEAKS THE SAME OF THE REST OF THE SQUAD THE BETTER, WE HAVE A CF IN WOOD WHO SEEMS TO HAVE AN ATTITUDE AND LIKE THE REST OF THE SIDE COULDN'T GIVE A FUCK AS LONG AS THEY GET PAID AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

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R Smith

22/2/2016 04:46:41 am

its you who talking crap. A decent manager would keep an issue like this in the dressing room , how would you like it it your boss slagged your work performance to everyone in public.

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paul

26/2/2016 04:09:04 am

Some advice for you is to keep your mouth shut and speak when you are told, your opinion is not valid or wanted.

Sprake

22/2/2016 04:34:43 am

Of course the 5 min. Evans gave Botaka against Watford should have been enough for him to give us at least a draw.
p.s.
Chris Wood will never be a Leeds Utd. player. He is not that type and I would have sold him in January after the Club recived offer above the 3 m he cost from Leicester.

This piece is absolutely correct. To slag Botaka off when he's not been given a chance in the team and only played 5 minutes on Saturday is disgusting. Antenucci doesn't look like he'll ever score again, Wootton is extremely poor and has been all season, Dallas can't last 90 minutes and Silvestri is a liability and he chooses t opublicly have a go at a player who has done nothing wrong. Awful man management. Give the lad a go for a few games and judge him then.

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Allan

22/2/2016 05:59:49 am

I will put a months wage that Botaka when he leaves Leeds will come into his own just like Adryan has done. The young lad has had no chance to find his feet and Evans attitude stinks. Having said that, Brian Clough was a self opinionated bully, full of his own bullshit but was a great manager, despite he should never have come anywhere near Leeds. Evans is not stupid, just needs to shut up, recognise talent and at least give it a bloody chance. Botaka is better than Wooton, he is far more skilled than Woods and has more passion and commitment than Antennuci. Having favourites is not professional strategy when you are lumbering about getting absolutely nowhere. Come on Steve, get it together for crying out loud.

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makka

22/2/2016 09:49:07 am

Evans needs to shut up talking to the press all the time. He's making scapegoats and excuses for poor results. He picks the team. He says 40% of the club are not good enough, slags off Botaka, the other week it was the loanee, while he constanty bigs up his own signings! He's just a puppet for Cellino, spouting excuses for him so he keeps the job. Cellino knows how much he wants it. Cellino won't pay wages, so we have to sign older players or unproven lower league players. It's how Evans got his job - by being cheap. We needed someone with cash to take over the club and we got an Arthur Daley type skinflint. The Lafferty situation is ludicrous; whether he's worth it or not the comment that he would be on 12k a week while the rest are on a grand says it all really. NO team has an across-the-board wage policy, to me it's an excuse for how skint we really are. Other clubs are laughing at us! Does Evans really believe a Premier League player will take a massive paycut to play for us? The best thing Cellino can do for us is sell up and to someone who DOES have financial clout - not Steve Parkin. He's now harming the club more than helping it - Leeds fans have had so many years of crap we deserve more....much more! The truth would be a start, not bullshit excuses. If I were you I'd wait as long as possible to renew my season ticket.

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the fish

22/2/2016 10:06:31 am

Play botaka from the start tmoro night.no.10.You want that skill in the box,if they can manage to give him the ball.give the boy a chance.

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